The Greatest Gun Salesman

The other day at the monthly member meeting of a gun club I belong to, the treasurer reported that the club had a very successful gun show the past weekend, including a record profit. I quipped that "We should all give a big round of applause to the greatest gun salesman of all time - Barack Hussein Obama". It got a fair number of chuckles. My little quip got me to thinking though.

I attended that gun show. I arrived about 11:00 am. The parking lot was full. The show had sold out of dealer tables, and indeed every conceivable spot for a dealer table inside the venue had a dealer table set up. The crowd packed the aisle ways to the point where it was difficult to move around. The club had already sold out of raffle tickets by the time I got there. Unlike previous gun shows the club put on the last couple of years, the dealers were actually well stocked with both guns and ammunition, and even some reloading supplies. There were no bargains, but the tables were full and it appeared the dealers were selling.

During previous economic declines, the club experienced net membership losses, as one might expect. Most similar private organizations lose members in trying times. People feel the need to spend less, and an easy way to do that is not to renew club memberships, especially memberships that are kind of on the pricey side. This time around the club has even raised dues several times during economically unsettling times, something that could well have been the kiss of death in previous declines, but continues to see strong membership growth.

So what is different this time around? Ego would say that its because the club is doing something better this time around, but it appears gun club growth is widespread, so that is probably not the case.
I suspect a confluence of economic, political, legal and social factors have resulted in a unique opportunity for my club and for gun clubs across the country.

Possibly the most important reason is the election to the presidency and the take over of congress by radical leftists who have dedicated large parts of their political careers to killing off the second amendment, and have come close to doing so. This seems to have pushed people to make gun purchases. The huge increase in gun and ammo sales over the last few years is not limited to existing gun owners though. A lot of people who might not otherwise have purchased firearms probably did so, just because they might want or need a firearm, and it seemed like the right to acquire effective defensive firearms was in jeopardy. Some people will want a place to shoot those new guns, and gun clubs on the whole offer a nicer shooting experience then the typical commercial range, especially if there is a desire to get involved in organized shooting activities.

There is also the Dick Heller factor. If you don't know who he is you should. The Heller case changed the legal climate surrounding the 2nd amendment forever. Just how far the courts decide the RTKBA extends is any one's guess at this point. Certainly the McDonald (Chicago) case seems to be headed toward the second amendment being incorporated, meaning the states can no longer outright prohibit handgun ownership as Chicago and NYC have done. Keeping arms is a lot easier for most people (judges are people too) to accept then bearing them (can't have the riff-raff carrying firearms around), and my guess is at some point the courts will gut the the 2A as they have the 4th and 6th amendments. But its way too early to tell. Over the next decade or so, the courts will determine just how much infringement "shall not be infringed" actually allows.

Here in Illinois, there is a ground swell of support for licensing law abiding people to carry firearms concealed for their own defense, as there has been across the country. That swelling of support for the right to carry is giving gun clubs across the country a boost, maybe more so in states like Illinois where the privilege of being legally allowed to engage in effective self defense is presently reserved for government employees.

There is also the deeply unsettling nature of the current political and economic situation we find ourselves in. Its not surprising that people might recognize the need to protect themselves in such times.

Gun clubs have a once in a generation opportunity to take advantage of these external factors. How best to do so? I suggest a few things.

First, recognize that its not something your club did, or your club's leadership did, or the NRA did that made this opportunity possible. Your club can take advantage of this unique set of circumstances, and should, but don't fool yourself into thinking you are geniuses for the growth your club is seeing.

At least some of the new interest in firearms is going to come from less traditional sources. Women, and even liberals are buying guns. Welcome them into your club. This may mean you have to pass on some of the good old boy stuff, off color jokes, and picking on liberals. There is no need to offend potential new members with such antics. It does not mean you can't be yourself, or not have any fun anymore. It does mean you need to be aware there are people in your vicinity who might not appreciate what you think of as fun. Its just a matter of courtesy.

Keep in mind that its likely that some of the newly interested people are more interested in firearms for self defense and feel the need for informal shooting practice, but are not all that interested in competitive shooting. Some are going to want to get concealed carry permits. Your club should consider either offering the training necessary to get the permit, or allowing outside instructors to use your facility to do so. There are some minor insurance issues with allowing your facility to be used in this manner, but that is what being an additional named insured is all about.

I also have some thoughts on helping new and potential new members feel comfortable and integrating into the club.

A lot of the new people will not have much in the way of firearms knowledge. Make an effort to help them where you can. Many clubs offer low cost NRA gun safety classes. That's a very good way to start them out. But they may also need some help when out on the range. Offer to show them the ropes, and explain the rules and practices of your club in a friendly way so they feel comfortable using the range. Invite them to organized activities and have people available to help the new people through the event. Its always a little intimidating the first few times to do something new, especially with a bunch of people you don't know watching. Remember, there is no need to hurry. Let them take their time and go at their own pace. It might even make sense to have a beginner's session for some activities. Be gentle when they make mistakes.

Alarms, locks, gates, lights, ventilation systems, and the like can be a little daunting at first. Its probably a good idea to have someone who is already experienced show new members how these work. Consider written instructions that a newbie can use until they are comfortable with the equipment.

Open access. Many (probably most) private gun clubs offer virtually unlimited access to their members, and often to their guests. New members may be a little uncomfortable coming by themselves the first few times, so consider having times when there will be someone there to help out new people.

Encourage them to help out with the club, but don't overwhelm them demanding they come to work parties. Many people are just uncomfortable (or unfamiliar) with physical labor, or are just unable to perform hard labor, and trying to force them to help out doing hard labor is counterproductive. There are a lot of things anyone can do to help out. Even things like helping to address and stamp the club newsletter gets them into the idea of helping out.

Many clubs require some number of annual mandatory work hours from each member. My personal opinion is that doing so is a mistake because the requirement tends to drive off people who are not in a position to do the work. A lot of clubs (including the one I belong to) do not have a well organized system of soliciting and using volunteer labor. If you want people to volunteer, you must make it easier on them to do so. People want well defined tasks, and you will get a whole lot better response to requests for volunteers if people know what they are being asked to do up front, rather than a vague request for work party participants.

One thing to remember that is almost universal in most private clubs, whether they are firearms related or not. The heavy financial lifting comes from dues, and a LOT of members pay their dues every year but rarely if ever participate. The dues from less active members are what carries most clubs. Without them, most clubs would be in a world of hurt. I can't tell you how many times I have heard the complaint that "we have 400 members and no more than 50 of them ever help out". Its probably true, but those that do help out get the most benefits out of the club, and the ones that don't help out rarely use the facilities. There is an old saying "don't look a gift horse in the mouth". If you have a couple hundred members who are willing to pay their dues every year and rarely if ever use the facility, that is one heck of a gift, and you ought to be grateful for it instead of whining about it.

[Added in response to a couple of requests to reprint this in gun club newsletters.

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